Feminism is a well discussed topic across the world. But these days the issue is not limited only to discussions but also presented through various art forms. In Bangladesh many artists have been dealing with the theme in their artworks.
Among them Farida Zaman, Rokeya Sultana and Dilara Begum Jolly have already achieved popularity by portraying feminism in different exhibitions at home and abroad. On the eve of International Women’s Day that falls on March 8, the artists talked to New Age on the issue.
Farida Zaman
Farida Zaman, chairperson of the department of drawings and paintings at the faculty of Fine Art of Dhaka University, said, ‘Female figures and their struggles at every stage of their life are brought into my works as I am also a woman.’
Farida Zaman, chairperson of the department of drawings and paintings at the faculty of Fine Art of Dhaka University, said, ‘Female figures and their struggles at every stage of their life are brought into my works as I am also a woman.’
‘The patriarchal social system and women’s socialization are also depicted in my works from time to time. Besides women’s struggles, I also highlight suppressed hopes and aspirations of women,’ added Zaman. Some of her popular series works titled ‘Peace’ present women as a herald of peace and a symbol of beauty.
Rokeya Sultana
Rokeya Sultana, professor of the printmaking department at the Faculty of Fine Art of Dhaka University, said that the struggle of underprivileged women, specially garment workers, and their role as silent rebels get more priority in her works.
Sultana’s series works including ‘Relations’ and ‘Madona’ address women’s hope, despair and love as well as struggles of middle class women of the society. Sultana’s works also explore psychological journey of women. Sultana prefers bright and vivid colours and surrealistic expression to present those issues in her works.
Rokeya Sultana, professor of the printmaking department at the Faculty of Fine Art of Dhaka University, said that the struggle of underprivileged women, specially garment workers, and their role as silent rebels get more priority in her works.
Sultana’s series works including ‘Relations’ and ‘Madona’ address women’s hope, despair and love as well as struggles of middle class women of the society. Sultana’s works also explore psychological journey of women. Sultana prefers bright and vivid colours and surrealistic expression to present those issues in her works.
Dilara Begum Jolly
Freelance artist Dilara Begum Jolly’s works highlight the inner journey as well as harsh realities of the women’s life. Since her student life, different rebellious women characters such as Jamila of Syed Wali Ullah’s novel ‘Lalsalu’ have an influence on her works till today.
Jolly’s series work Embryo Withdrawn presents an urge of a mother to hide her teenage daughter, who is a victim of society’s patriarchy, into her ovary. ‘It is a true story of one of my relatives. After expressing that utmost and unreal solution to keep her daughter in peace the mother died immediately. The memory still haunts me,’ said Jolly.
Freelance artist Dilara Begum Jolly’s works highlight the inner journey as well as harsh realities of the women’s life. Since her student life, different rebellious women characters such as Jamila of Syed Wali Ullah’s novel ‘Lalsalu’ have an influence on her works till today.
Jolly’s series work Embryo Withdrawn presents an urge of a mother to hide her teenage daughter, who is a victim of society’s patriarchy, into her ovary. ‘It is a true story of one of my relatives. After expressing that utmost and unreal solution to keep her daughter in peace the mother died immediately. The memory still haunts me,’ said Jolly.
News Source: The New Age